Russia says that the U.S. denial over the alleged plot against Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro is "unconvincing".

This comes after Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday said that "there was no United States government direct involvement" in an apparent attempt to invade Venezuela early this week.

"If we had been involved, it would have gone differently," Pompeo said.

Two Americans, both former U.S. Special Operations soldiers, were arrested by Venezuelan forces in the alleged operation, and a number of Venezuelan military defectors were reported killed.

But details remained scarce as the two countries traded accusations but offered little new information about the mysterious mission.

The incident added to more than a year of growing tensions as the administration, accusing President Nicolás Maduro of human rights abuses, corruption and narcotics trafficking, has tried to force him from office with economic sanctions and criminal indictments.

President Trump however said the incident "has nothing to do with our government," and the State Department cited privacy considerations in declining to comment on the reported arrests.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said captured Americans will be tried in Venezuela. The government had said Sunday that it foiled an attack from the sea aimed at toppling the Maduro, killing eight assailants and capturing two others.

Source: The Washington Post